A random sample of 1,050 respondents throughout the province of British Columbia between September 28-October 08th, 2006. This survey features a margin of error of 3.50%, 19 times out of 20 @97% competency/confidence. This survey was paid for in part by New Trend Optical of Port Coquitlam B.C. Jim Van Rassel proprietor (604) 942-9300.

Question #1

A private member’s bill is one which an individual Member of Parliament initiates hoping to make a new law. To become law it must pass three ‘readings’ of approval with a majority of votes. This bill would require the current Conservative government to follow the international standards of the Kyoto Accord. At the same time a government report recently came out criticizing the previous Liberal government for its poor record on meeting Kyoto Standards, while others criticize the current Conservative government for their inaction on the environment.
It has been reported that all three Opposition parties, namely the New Democrats, the Liberals, and the Bloc Quebecois support this private member’s bill.
In your opinion, is it hypocritical for the Liberal party to force Kyoto on the Canadian people after failing to implement its initiatives for well over a decade?

Yes

62 %

No

38 %

Question #2

In your opinion should the Conservative government be given an opportunity to promote its own Made in Canada strategy for the environment, even if this strategy does NOT include ANY collaboration or policy integration with the Kyoto Accord?

Yes

54 %

No

46 %

Commentary

A majority of respondents in this poll are of the opinion that it is hypocritical for the Liberals to force one government to take action on a particular file, which they themselves failed at. Respondents who do not believe this is hypocritical are of the opinion that either Kyoto is “too important” or that ‘this is a new Liberal party’.

Respondents in Prince George (41%), Victoria (43%), Vancouver (44%), and Burnaby (45%) were the most inclined in the province to say that it was not hypocritical to pursue the private member’s bill.

A majority of respondents are of the opinion that the federal Conservative government should be given an opportunity to promote its own ‘Made in Canada’ environmental strategy. Provincial regions north and east of Hope were over (60%) on this question except for Prince George city itself which was ‘split’. Victoria, Vancouver city proper, North and West Vancouver were split on the issue, with a clear majority in Richmond, Surrey, Coquitlam, the Fraser Valley and mid and north Vancouver Island reflecting a majority of respondents who want to give the Conservative government an opportunity for its ‘Made in Canada’ approach.